Cites court rulings that the plaintiff must identify the causal relationship between a statistical imbalance and specific employment practices. Indicates that university promotion, tenure, and salary decisions will be upheld if the judgments are based on a merit system with the criteria of teaching, research, and service. (MLF)

The Emergency School Aid Act (ESAA) states that the Act's purpose is to provide Federal assistance to eliminate minority group segregation among students and faculty in elementary and secondary schools. One section of the Act declares an educational agency ineligible for assistance if it has in effect any practice which results in disproportionate…

Examines the relationship between the tenure system and affirmative action gains in higher education during a time of retrenchment. Compares the situation with that in industry during the recession of the 1970s, when layoffs caused clashes over the relative importance of seniority provisions and minorities' employment gains. (Author/MLF)

Surveys the legal challenges to teacher certification based on objective competency tests; analyzes the theories of the challenges; and discusses implementation of these tests with particular reference to the declining number of eligible minority candidates. Describes "custom designed" certification programs used by a few states. (MLF)

This House committee staff report concerns the impact of educational policies and practices on at risk students and minority teachers. These two groups have been adversely affected by rapid changes in education. Demands for higher standards and expectations have not been matched with adequate resources to meet the special needs of these students…

Explores legal conflicts that arise between seniority principles and affirmative action goals when public schools must reduce their workforces. Suggests that minority students' right to equal education, which demands a substantial minority faculty presence, should be a prevailing concern in dealing with layoffs. (Author/MJL)

A hearing was held on the subject of two bills introduced by Senator Edward M. Kennedy aimed at increasing Pell Grants and at helping minority students earn doctoral degrees and enter the teaching profession at the college level. Specifically the first bill would increase the maximum Pell Grant from $3,100 to $4,500 and expand the number of…

These hearings addressed three measures introduced to the Senate: the Excellence in Teaching Act, S. 1675; the National Teacher Act of 1989, S. 1676; and the Teacher's Professional Development Act, S. 498. The key provisions of the bills focus on: (1) addressing the teacher shortage through a revitalized Teacher Corps Program providing…

Effective implementation of legislative mandates is the prime responsibility of academic senates. Inherent with this authority and responsibility is accountability. "Lip service" and "paper shuffling for compliance" are not surrogates for actual and effective implementation of the affirmative action mandates of Assembly Bill…

This Senate bill would initiate a variety of measures aimed at improving the recruitment, retention, and professional development of qualified elementary and secondary school teachers. It focuses these efforts particularly where acute teacher shortages have been identified, including shortages of minority teachers, teachers for limited English…

This document contains the text of proposed House bills--"The Augustus F. Hawkins Early Childhood and Elementary Teacher Preparation and Retraining Act of 1990" (H.R. 3909) and "The Twenty-First Century Teacher Act" (H.R. 4130)--and the complete transcript of the hearings on "The Twenty-First Century Teachers Act"…

This document is the text of a Bill (H.R. 3098) proposed to improve the college participation rates of groups underserved by institutions of higher education. H.R. 3098 is also titled Hispanic Access to Higher Education Act of 1991. The Bill contains eight sections. Section 1 provides the short title and references of the Bill. Section 2 presents…

Today's linguistically diverse classrooms require teachers who are properly educated to communicate effectively with students, parents, and the larger community. Teacher education programs have the responsibility of preparing teachers with these skills and of responding to the shortage of racial and ethnic minorities within the state of New York's…

This annual report on minority, female, and disabled groups in Illinois higher education details efforts to improve student and staff representation, and surveys trends in enrollment, degree completion, and staff employment. The report shows increases in black and Hispanic graduate/professional enrollment, transfers from community colleges to…